The “Summer Schools” program, funded by the Bayt Mal Al-Qods Acharif Agency with the support of the Kingdom of Morocco for the benefit of the Palestinian population, concluded Tuesday, August 11, after providing activities for around 3,000 children in Al-Qods.
The program reflects the continuation of social and grassroots initiatives in the Holy City under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Qods Committee.
Over the course of their summer break, around 3,000 children participated in activities involving colors, games, theater, sports, and artificial intelligence. These activities combined learning and entertainment, providing opportunities to discover new talents and build friendships.
The program took place over two months at 20 associations and community centers throughout the Old City of Jerusalem and in Silwan, Ras Al-Amud, Wadi Al-Joz, Sheikh Jarrah, Beit Hanina, Al-Eizariya, Bir Nabala, Nabi Samwil, and Al-Judeira, as well as in the Shufat and Qalandiya camps.
Activities ranged from play-based learning to psychological support and life skills development, as well as sports, arts, leisure, environmental activities, and technology. These activities included drawing, handicrafts, theater, puppetry, traditional Palestinian dabka dancing, cooking, and soap-making workshops. There were also water and air games, excursions, and challenge-based activities designed to encourage enthusiasm and a spirit of competition among participants.
This year’s program also included specialized camps focused on the environment, sports, arts and crafts, and technology. One of the highlights was an activity raising awareness about the Palestinian olive tree. A football tournament brought together around 100 children from four clubs and summer schools in the Old City.
Participants also attended a traditional handicrafts school in Beit Hanina, where traditional craft techniques were combined with design and artificial intelligence technologies. Another interactive art school was held at the Greek Catholic Association of Our Lady of the Annunciation in the Old City, offering “Little Artist” and “Little Chef” workshops, as well as English-language storytelling sessions.
Yamine Awayssat, a child at the Arab Orphans Institute in Abu Dis, said he was impressed by the range of activities combining play and learning. He noted that he had taken part in a drawing class for the first time in his life.
Lin Al-Natcha, from the Wadi Al-Joz Charitable Association, said sports and group games were her favorite activities because they helped her develop teamwork and respect for others, while making her more active during the summer holidays.
Bayrout Chamasneh said the summer camp taught her the importance of cooperation and collective action. She added that taking part in the activities had strengthened her confidence and helped her interact with other children.
Nour Julani described the experience as the “best summer of my life,” saying the circus, mini-cooking and soap-making workshops, along with inflatable games and water activities, introduced him to activities he had never experienced before.
Taysir Ouarasnah, head of the boarding section at the Arab Orphans Institute, said the program stood out for its educational dimension, combining learning and leisure and helping children develop in a stimulating environment.
He said support from the Bayt Mal Al-Qods Acharif Agency had allowed the program to reach more children and give them opportunities to take part in activities that develop their skills and help them use their free time in a positive way.
Diaa Al Houssein, director of the Wadi Al-Joz Charitable Association, said the program aimed to develop children’s social and personal skills alongside cultural and sporting activities. He highlighted group games and creative workshops as some of the most popular activities, saying they encouraged cooperation and self-expression.
Tamara Berbar, head of the Al Boustane association’s camp in Silwan, said the wide range of activities, from water games and awareness sessions to theater, drawing, dabka dancing and practical workshops, allowed children to choose activities that best matched their interests.
Officials from Al-Qods-based institutions also highlighted the positive impact of the program, saying the activities provided children with a structured environment to make productive use of their time and develop their talents in a city where daily challenges place constant pressure on residents.
Mohammed Akram, president of the Wadi Al-Judeira Association for Development and Improvement, said support from the Bayt Mal Al-Qods Acharif Agency had enabled his association to continue its “Ar-Ribat” summer camp, which serves more than 200 children from eight villages northwest of Al-Qods.
He said such initiatives provide children with a genuine outlet given the conditions in the city, while helping them develop their talents and use their time constructively.
Tania Awad, executive director of the Our Lady of the Annunciation Charitable Association in the Old City, said the camp provides children with a safe space where they spend around eight hours a day taking part in a program combining artistic activities, including “Little Artist,” “Little Musician” and “Little Chef,” with storytelling workshops and nutrition-awareness activities.
The summer program is part of an initiative by the Bayt Mal Al-Qods Acharif Agency, in line with the High Directives of King Mohammed VI, aimed at investing in children and promoting human development and social support in Al-Qods.
The initiative seeks to develop children’s skills, provide them with a stimulating educational environment and encourage their participation in educational, cultural, sporting and artistic activities.
